join us in
building hope & home
A Campaign to Support a Shelter
Expansion for Families with Children
private rooms. positive change. pathway forward.
the project
PRELIMENARY FIRST FLOOR PLAN
A new two-story, 7,200 square foot building on ECHO’s Atascadero campus dedicated to families with children.
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Children’s Activity Room
(arts & crafts, children's library, music and tutoring)
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Ample family friendly communal space ( including a living room)
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Private rooms adding 30 additional beds
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Workforce Training Classroom
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Private counseling offices
Why now
1 out of 10 school aged children
in San Luis Obispo County are
experiencing homelessness.*
Family homelessness is increasing -
The number of families with children
experiencing homelessness has been
steadily increasing, driven by rising
housing costs, unemployment and
systemic poverty - yet many shelters are
not equipped to meet their unique needs.
ECHO currently has more than 300
individuals and families with children on
a waiting list.
Lack of Private Spaces - Many
shelters are designed to accommodate
individuals or larger groups. A private
room offers the basic human dignity of
a family unit staying together in a safe,
quiet environment which facilitates
critical family bonding.
Impact on Children - Providing families
with their own private space offers an
opportunity to mitigate the psychological
effects of homelessness and provide
children with a safe haven to learn, grow,
and thrive.
*EdSource May 2025
How to help
The Building Hope & Home Campaign is a three-year, $6 million fundraising initiative to build a new Family Resource Center - a place where families can access the support they need to achieve lasting stability. With your support, we can:
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Serve more families
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Enhance outcomes for children
-
Strengthen our community
When families have a safe place to call home, everything changes. Your donation is critical to make that future possible. Naming opportunities available. Pledge options start at $5,000 spread over 3 to 5 years.
Join us in turning this dream into a reality.
Together we can build hope and home for our neighbors in need.
the impact of Echo
ECHO has a proven track record of positive outcomes and program success.
60%
of participants in our 90- day program successfully move into stable housing
90%
of those program graduates maintain that housing long-term
213 Children
were served between both shelter sites in 2024
In 2025, ECHO helped 383 individuals, including children, secure stable housing through our Shelter Program, Outreach, and Homeless Prevention Services.